Millbrook celebrates with Parade of Lights

MILLBROOK — When Santa came to Millbrook on Friday, Dec. 2, he and and Mrs. Claus spent time at the Angels of Light building at 28 Front Street. There was a huge, decorated tree, donated by the Tribute Garden, with mounds of stuffed animals under it, donated by Petco to be given to the children.

Lori Cassia-Decker, co-founder of Angels of Light, was thrilled with the turnout, and grateful for all the donations and the volunteers who made this event magical. There were cookies, hot cocoa, and a table for making cards for the sick children at the Mid-Hudson Regional and Maria Fareri Children’s Hospitals.

Angels of Light began as a Christmas deed, helping critically ill children and their families in the Hudson Valley to have good Christmases in spite of the illness. A 501(c) (3) since 2016, it has expanded to assist children and families with life-threatening illness and death all year-round with medical bills, utilities, food, gas, and much more. 

The rest of the magic happened after dark. The parade began with Santa in a fire engine waving to the crowd, followed by the Angels of Light float. Then came about 60 trucks, cars, tractors, fire engines, dump trucks and yes, even a boat; they became lighted floats, carrying Santas, snow men, animals, people, more than a couple of Grinches and toward the end, one waving cowboy. For 45 minutes it streamed by, with many themes, music, some blowing bubbles. The crowd cheered, clapped, and hopefully absorbed some of the Christmas spirit. Toward the end there were two bedecked horses, and then Millbrook Mayor Tim Collopy and Town of Washington Supervisor Gary Ciferri got behind lighted garbage cans, pushing them along the parade route to the end. It’s becoming a tradition.